By Baptist Message staff
MONROE, La. (LBM) – Oleta Gibson, a 104-year-old resident of the Avalon Place Nursing Home in Monroe, received a surprise visit in early April from some Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home youngsters who delivered special birthday gifts. The children surprised Gibson with homemade pictures and a rendition of the classic song “Happy Birthday” from outside her window.
“We try to teach these kids from an early age we need to serve as Jesus did and look for ways to encourage others,” Lisa Vaughn, who serves as a cottage parent with her husband, Larry, told the Baptist Message. “It was such a blessing to see them on board with this from the time we told them about this idea.” A few weeks after the novel coronavirus pandemic shut out visitors to nursing home facilities in the state, Vaughn learned that Gibson’s family would not be able to come to Avalon Place
for the birthday celebration. Th e children quickly volunteered to color the pictures that subsequently brought smiles to Gibson on her special day. “Larry and Lisa Vaughn do a great job serving as cottage parents,” shared Marc Eichelberger, vice president of development and public relations for the Children’s Home. “We are grateful for them taking this opportunity to show the children in their care how to express the love of Christ to others in need.”
